Osteoidosteom

Background

In recent years, osteoid osteomas have been treated more frequently by means of percutaneous procedures. The main disadvantage in patients with suspected osteoid osteoma is the lack of histological verification. Our study presents the results that we obtained using a minimally invasive diamond bone-cutting system allowing histologic verification.

Materials and methods

Six patients (age 10–20 years) with osteoid osteoma in the lower extremities were subjected to resection of the nidus using a minimally invasive water-cooled diamond bone-cutting system. All specimens were histologically processed and diagnosed.

Results

In all patients the nidus was resected successfully, and the diagnosis was histologically confirmed. The mean operating time was 22.8 min. All patients were allowed full weight-bearing immediately, and hospitalization was a maximum of 2 days. All patients were free of pain and relapse-free during the entire 2-year postoperative follow-up.

Conclusion

In selected localizations with a clearly visible nidus, the minimally invasive diamond bone-cutting system presented here offers an alternative to the established surgical and percutaneous procedures for treating osteoid osteomas. This procedure combines the advantages of a minimally invasive technique with the option of histological verification of the diagnosis and correct nidus ablation.     

Case Report: Curetting Osteoid Osteoma of the Spine Using Combined Video-assisted Thoracoscopic Surgery and Navigation

Background

A spinal osteoid osteoma is a rare benign tumor. The usual treatment involves complete curettage including the nidus. In the thoracic spine, conventional open surgical treatment usually carries relatively high surgical risks because of the close anatomic relationship to the spinal cord, nerve roots, and thoracic vessels, and pulmonary complications and postoperative pain.

Case Report

We report the case of a 16-year-old girl with a symptomatic osteoid osteoma at the T9 level whose lesion was currettaged using video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) guided by a navigation system (VATS-NAV). There were no complications and the patient had immediate relief of the characteristic pain after surgery and was asymptomatic at 5 months’ followup.

Literature Review

Progressive advances in the technology of spinal surgery have evolved to offer greater safety and less morbidity for patients. The advent of minimally invasive surgery has expanded the indications for VATS for anterior spinal disorders. Spinal navigation systems have become useful tools allowing localization and excision of the nidus of osteoid osteomas with minimal bone resection and without radiation exposure.

Clinical Relevance

The VATS-NAV combination in our patient allowed accurate localization and guidance for complete excision of a spinal osteoid osteoma through a minimally invasive approach without compromising spinal stability.     

Osteoidosteom

Background

The CT-guided therapy of osteoid osteoma instead of older methods such as open resection has the advantage of exact localization of the nidus intraoperatively and exact documentation of its ablation. Another advantage is the less invasive approach.

Patients and methods

A total of 52 patients with osteoid osteoma were treated in our institution between 1996 and 2005 either by radiofrequency ablation (n=11) or by percutaneous resection under CT guidance (n=41). Their age was between 7 and 48 years, mean age was 22.3 years, and follow-up was 31.3 months.

Results

In all patients (n=52) the osteoid osteoma was successfully treated. In 50 patients the first treatment resulted in long-term success. In two patients the nidus was first missed; they were successfully treated with another operation using the same technique.

Conclusion

The CT-guided operation of osteoid osteoma made the therapy much easier because of the exact localization and the less invasive approach. This technique can be used analogously to tumor biopsy. The advantage is the exact documentation of the biopsy path and the possibility to take specimens.     

Comparison of alcohol ablation with repeated thermal radiofrequency ablation in medial branch neurotomy for the treatment of recurrent thoracolumbar facet joint pain

Purpose

Chemical denervation is not recommended as part of the routine care of chronic non-cancer pain. Physicians face a dilemma when it comes to repeated interventions in cases of recurrent thoracolumbar facet joint pain after successful thermal radiofrequency ablation (RFA) in medial branch neurotomy. This study was performed to compare the effects of alcohol ablation (AA) with thermal RFA in patients with recurrent thoracolumbar facet joint pain after thermal RFA treatment.

Methods

Forty patients with recurrent thoracolumbar facet joint pain after successful thermal RFA defined as a numeric rating scale (NRS) score of ≥7 or a revised Oswestry disability index (ODI) of ≥22 % were randomly allocated to two groups receiving either the same repeated RFA (n = 20) or AA (n = 20). The recurrence rate was assessed with NRS and ODI during the next 24 months, and adverse events in each group were recorded.

Results

During the 24-month follow-up after RFA and AA, one and 17 patients, respectively, were without recurring thoracolumbar facet joint pain. The median effective periods in the RFA and AA groups were 10.7 (range 5.4–24) and 24 (range 16.8–24) months, respectively (p < 0.000). No significant complications were observed with the exception of injection site pain, which occurred in both groups.

Conclusion

In our patient cohort, alcohol ablation in medial branch neurotomy provided a longer period of pain relief and better quality of life than repeated radiofrequency medial branch neurotomy in the treatment of recurrent thoracolumbar facet joint pain syndrome after successful thermal RFA without significant complications during the 24-month follow-up.     

Percutaneous radio-frequency ablation of chondroblastoma: an effective alternative

Percutaneous radiofrequency ablation is a well known treatment for osteoid osteomas. But its use in treating chondroblastoma is not well established in literature. There have been few case reports of such treatment in recent radiology literature (Radiology 221(2):463–468, 2001; Eur Radiol 3:1–7, 2005). We report a case of chondroblastoma in proximal humerus in a 14 year old treated with percutaneous radiofrequency ablation. At 6 month follow up the patient was asymptomatic. A repeat CT showed evidence of healing including resolution of the tumeral calcification. Repeat biopsy at this time showed no evidence of tumour recurrence. This minimally invasive treatment is an effective alternative to surgical curettage and packing, and should be considered the treatment of choice for suitable lesions.     

Efficacy and survival analysis of percutaneous radiofrequency versus microwave ablation for hepatocellular carcinoma: an egyptian multidisciplinary clinic experience

Background

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a primary tumor of the liver with poor prognosis. For early stage HCC, treatment options include surgical resection, liver transplantation, and percutaneous ablation. Percutaneous ablative techniques (radiofrequency and microwave techniques) emerged as best therapeutic options for nonsurgical patients.

Aims

We aimed to determine the safety and efficacy of radiofrequency and microwave procedures for ablation of early stage HCC lesions and prospectively follow up our patients for survival analysis.

Patients and methods

One Hundred and 11 patients with early HCC are managed in our multidisciplinary clinic using either radiofrequency or microwave ablation. Patients are assessed for efficacy and safety. Complete ablation rate, local recurrence, and overall survival analysis are compared between both procedures.

Results

Radiofrequency ablation group (n = 45) and microwave ablation group (n = 66) were nearly comparable as regards the tumor and patients characteristics. Complete ablation was achieved in 94.2 and 96.1 % of patients managed by radiofrequency and microwave ablation techniques, respectively (p value 0.6) with a low rate of minor complications (11.1 and 3.2, respectively) including subcapsular hematoma, thigh burn, abdominal wall skin burn, and pleural effusion. Ablation rates did not differ between ablated lesions ≤3 and 3–5 cm. A lower incidence of local recurrence was observed in microwave group (3.9 vs. 13.5 % in radiofrequency group, p value 0.04). No difference between both groups as regards de novo lesions, portal vein thrombosis, and abdominal lymphadenopathy. The overall actuarial probability of survival was 91.6 % at 1 year and 86.1 % at 2 years with a higher survival rates noticed in microwave group but still without significant difference (p value 0.49).

Conclusion

Radiofrequency and microwave ablations led to safe and equivalent ablation and survival rates (with superiority for microwave ablation as regards the incidence of local recurrence).     

Percutaneous computed tomography-guided resection of non-spinal osteoid osteomas in 54 patients and review of the literature

Background

Osteoid osteoma is a benign osteoblastic tumor with a nidus of <20 mm in maximum diameter. There are several treatment options, all of them aiming either to resect or to eliminate the nidus.

Purpose

To report and to describe the benefits of treating non-spinal osteoid osteoma by percutaneous computed tomography-guided resection, according to our experience.

Study design

Retrospective case series

Methods

Between 1992 and 2008, 54 patients with non-spinal osteoid osteoma underwent primary treatment with percutaneous CT-guided resection. In all cases, the materials obtained were processed for pathology and microbiology.

Results

Fifty-four patients with a mean age of 22.7 years (range 10–47), of whom 46 were males (85.2 %) and 8 were females (14.8 %). The lesion size ranged between 5 and 15 mm with an average size of 6.9 mm. The resection was considered complete by the CT study in all 54 cases. Of all the specimens sent to pathology, the histological diagnosis was achieved in 41 (75.9 %). Cure was obtained in 50 patients (92.6 %) and the other four patients required a second surgery using the same technique, after which all of them achieved clinical and radiological improvement (100 %).

Conclusion

Percutaneous computed tomography-guided resection of non-spinal osteoid osteomas provides good results, similar to other surgical techniques, with the advantages of being a simple, mini invasive, safe and economic procedure without the need for specific materials. Level of evidence, IV.     

Percutaneous Radiofrequency Epiphysiodesis in a Rabbit Model: A Pilot Study

Background

Techniques for epiphysiodesis have evolved from open surgical techniques requiring direct observation of the physis to percutaneous techniques performed with fluoroscopy.

Questions/purposes

Our purposes were to (1) describe a new minimally invasive surgical technique used to achieve epiphysiodesis using radiofrequency ablation, (2) document the effect of radiofrequency ablation on tibia length at 2, 6, and 12 weeks after ablation in a skeletally immature rabbit model, and (3) assess the effects of radiofrequency ablation on the histologic appearance of the proximal tibia physis and proximal tibia articular cartilage.

Materials and Methods

We performed epiphysiodesis of the rabbit proximal tibia on 15 skeletally immature male New Zealand White rabbits using a 22-gauge radiofrequency probe. The probe was positioned percutaneously and heated to 90°C for 4 minutes on the medial and lateral ½ of the physis. The opposite tibia was used as a control. Five animals were sacrificed at 2, 6, or 12 weeks postoperatively. Tibia length was compared using Faxitron® radiographs and electronic calipers. Histology of the growth plate was assessed with light microscopy.

Results

We observed differences in tibia length between 4.16 mm and 11.59 mm (average 7.86 mm) at 12 weeks. The proximal tibia physis closed radiographically and histologically in all animals by 12 weeks. Histologic analysis showed no evidence of articular cartilage injury.

Conclusions

This technique was reproducible and resulted in bone fusion of the rabbit proximal tibial growth plate. The use of radiofrequency ablation as described in this report may be used as an alternative to other surgical epiphysiodesis techniques.

Clinical Relevance

This technique may be useful for epiphysiodesis of small tubular bones of the hands and feet in humans.     

Percutaneous CT-guided radio-frequency ablation of osteoid osteoma of the foot and ankle

Introduction

Percutaneous radiofrequency ablation (RFA) has been considered, in recent years, the standard treatment for osteoid osteoma (OO) of the appendicular skeleton. The variable clinical presentations in the foot and ankle pose problems in diagnosis, localization and thus treatment. The aim of this study was to assess the efficacy of RFA for patients with osteoid osteoma of the foot and ankle.

Materials and methods

A total of 29 patients (22 males, 7 females; mean age 16.7?years; range 8?C44?years) with OO of the foot and ankle (distal tibia, n?=?17; distal fibula, n?=?6; talus, n?=?3; calcaneus, n?=?3) were enrolled in the study. A CT-guided RFA was performed, using a cool-tip electrode without the cooling system, heating the lesion up to 90?°C for 4?C5?min. Clinical success, assessed at a minimum follow-up of 1?year, was defined as complete or partial pain relief after RFA. Pain and clinical outcomes were scored pre-operatively and at the follow-up with a visual analogue scale (VAS) and with the American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) score. Complications and local recurrences were also recorded.

Results

Clinical success was achieved in 26 patients (89.6?%). After RFA, mean VAS and AOFAS score significantly improved from 8?±?1 to 2?±?1 (p?<?0.05) and from 60.7?±?12.7 to 89.6?±?7.1 (p?<?0.05), respectively. Two patients experienced partial relief of pain and underwent a second successful ablation. Local recurrences were found in three patients, always associated with pain. These underwent conventional excision through open surgery. No early or late complications were detected after RFA.

Conclusion

CT-guided RFA of foot and ankle osteoid osteoma is a safe and effective procedure, showing similar results for the rest of the appendicular skeleton.     

Endoscopic endoluminal radiofrequency ablation of Barrett’s esophagus: initial results and lessons learned

Background

Ablating Barrett’s epithelium may reduce the risk of developing esophageal adenocarcinoma. This study reports the experience of a single surgeon using an endoscopic endoluminal device that delivers radiofrequency energy (the BARRx device) to ablate Barrett’s esophagus.

Methods

All patients who underwent ablation of Barrett’s epithelium with the BARRx system were reviewed for length of Barrett’s metaplasia, presence of high-grade dysplasia, postprocedure complications, completeness of ablation at first follow-up endoscopy, need for additional ablation, completeness of ablation at second follow-up endoscopy, and concomitant performance of a Nissen fundoplication.

Results

Sixty-six patients underwent Barrett’s ablation. The median length of the Barrett’s esophagus was 3 (range, 1–14) cm. Twelve patients (18%) had high-grade dysplasia. There were no immediate procedure-related complications. Four strictures occurred: three in patients with ≥12-cm segments of Barrett’s and one in a 6-cm segment. Twenty-nine of 49 patients (59%) who had planned 3-month follow-up endoscopy had complete ablation. Five patients had planned two-stage ablation. Twenty patients with incomplete ablation had additional ablation. Twenty-seven patients had planned follow-up endoscopy at ≥1 year: 25 of 27 (93%) had biopsy-proven normal esophageal mucosa. The median length of Barrett’s esophagus in patients with initially incomplete ablation was 6 cm, compared with 2 cm in the initially complete ablation patients. Seven Nissen fundoplications were present at the time of ablation, whereas six were performed concomitantly with the ablation without increased difficulty.

Conclusions

Complete ablation of Barrett’s esophagus with radiofrequency endoluminal ablation is achievable in >90% of patients. Patients with longer segments are likely to require additional ablation. Patients with very long segments are at risk for stricture and should be approach cautiously. Performance of a fundoplication is not hindered by concomitant ablation.